The stories we tell and the stories we are
Her Stories, Our Stories and weaving our way through this Equinox portal.
Well hello, how are you? And how is this Equinox period treating you?
From here in the Northern hemisphere I send you belated Ostara blessings and hope that, whatever you are looking to bring into being this coming Spring and Summer, the seeds of that are being sown beautifully within your heart and your mind.
It always strikes me that Equinox is a potent time for us as Divine Feminists; a time when the light and the dark are in perfect balance in nature, and perhaps in ourselves too, offering a powerful reminder of how those two energies complement and contrast one another within us all.
As you’ll know if you watched last night’s Project Earthwork transmission, the current Equinox period might just feel especially potent. There is a lot happening in the skies right now bringing about what feels like a period of significant shifts; everyone I talk to seems to be experiencing either the end of a cycle or situation it’s past time they stepped away from, or the revisiting of another that needs to be viewed again from a different perspective. Those things can feel scary - frustrating even, but it’s important to really consider not just what we’re experiencing but how.
Whatever you’re experiencing right now, consider the stories you’re telling yourself about why they have come about and what they mean. How many of those are true? How many have an ulterior motive with less than your best interests at heart?
Those stories we tell ourselves are so important; they shape the ways in which we see ourselves and who we become.
Equally though, the stories we hear around us are important too.
Her Story Matters: The Power of Goddess Stories
For the longest time growing up, I’d hear stories of all the incredible things men had done… the wars they had won, and the discoveries they’d made.
There were never stories about women.
I thought that maybe women didn't do anything interesting or exciting that deserved to be spoken about. But over time, I realised that wasn’t the case.
It was more that women didn't have access to education, printing presses, and scientific institutions to validate their work.
Women have always done amazing things, but their stories have been suppressed, erased, or overlooked.
And, when it comes to women, stories of females who’ve been burned, buried and vilified are told – from Brigid, the Celtic goddess of spring, fire and fertility and Freyja, the Norse Goddess of war, love, and magic, to Lilith, the first-ever woman.
Egyptian Princess Scota (also the mother of the Scots) is another prime example.
We’re told she’s buried in Ireland; there’s a grave dedicated to her.
There’s evidence to support that she lived.
And yet, when you read up on her, she’s said to be a figure from “pseudo-history” rather than someone from ancient history.
Why is that?
What made people believe her story wasn't important?
Everything we’re told is pitched to us through the lens of what the dominant culture wants us to hear.
History is written by the victors.
For us, the victor is the patriarchy, which is why so many stories are written about, by, and for men.
Women across history and mythology are cast as demons – not because they are, but because the patriarchy doesn't want us to follow them and their lead
But doing that doesn’t just cast them into the role of villain, it paints parts of us as demonic too, simply because they defy the laws of patriarchy and go against what’s classed as good.
For me, by researching and digging into Her Stories, I'm not just retelling them, I’m also reminding us of the Liliths and Scotas within us, who have the courage to do things their way.
When we hear and feel those stories and connect to energies within ourselves, we come back to:
What it truly is to be a woman in this world
What that meant to those who came before us - before patriarchy had even dared try to tame them
A place of our own deep, soulful, full-bodied power
Are you ready to dive deep with me into the stories of women who’ve been vilified throughout time, to look at what lies beyond all we’ve been told?
Are you keen to explore how new perspectives can offer you the opportunity to see your own story differently?
I’d love you to join my next ‘Rekindling Her Story’ session, where I share details of a Goddess or woman from history and dive into her life through a modern lens.
I’ll take off the glasses of patriarchy to retell the stories of those women and use channelling and meditation to meet Her and lean into the fullness of Her story.
The next session will focus on Elen of the Ways – Earth Goddess, antler-wearing shaman of Northern Europe and, it’s said, the woman who defined Britain’s first nationwide transport system simply by asking for what she wanted and needed.
We’ll be gathering to connect with Elen and her energy on Wednesday, 5th April so join me to dive deep and learn to break free from your bindings of powerlessness and misrepresentation along the way – details of the session are available here.
Elsewhere from the Divine Feminist
Have you listened to our two most recent episodes of The Divine Feminist podcast? The conversation with Laura Bates was one of my favourite episodes in a long time, while our most recent episode dived into that idea of grounding and the sacred as we explored the last of our 13 keys.
Meanwhile in this month’s Love, Light and Bullshit Bingo, myself and Yolandi have been unpicking the idea of alignment. What does that even mean, and is it really all it’s cracked up to be? Watch or listen now.
Earlier I mentioned this month’s Project Earthwork transmission, which took place last night to celebrate the Equinox. If I’m honest, I may still be recovering, so be sure to check out the recording if you’d like to experience this one for yourself!
Meanwhile, over in the paid section of this Community, we’ve just met our Goddess of the Month in the form of a meditation, spirit channelling, and deep dive into Her Story. If you’d like to check out our monthly Goddess packs and more, click the button below.
Divine Feminism elsewhere
As a lover of independent bookshops and anything about female friendship, I adored this article about the rising combination of the two here in the UK.
Though we may have missed International Women’s Day, I found this story about the Iranian athletes forced to flee their home country incredibly powerful and emotional reading.
Meanwhile, this gallery featuring photos of women from around the world is both beautiful and eye-opening and is well worth a few minutes of your time.
Finally, I loved reading this story about the Harriet Tubman monument unveiled in Newark, New Jersey’s Harriet Tubman Square earlier this month.
That’s all from me for now. Thank you as always for being here and, until next time, take care and have a wonderful start to your Spring.
Love,
Ceryn xx